Magnetic Golf Tee and Grip

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a novel magnetic golf tee and corresponding magnetic golf grip attachment. The golf tee is modified with a magnet inside and the magnetic club grip attachment is secured to the handle/grip end of a golf club. The magnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee enabling the user to pick up their tee without having to physically bend over, thereby preventing further strain and effort for the user while playing a round of golf. The magnet on the club can be about the size of a nickel, with a shaft terminating at a bulbous end (i.e., a ball/rivet) such that it can be pushed through the hole at the end of the golf grip. Further, the device is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers to pick up magnetic tees and putters to pick up metal ball markers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/228,782, which was filed on Aug. 3, 2021and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic golf tee andmagnetic club grip attachment that provides users with the ability topick up golf tees or magnetic ball markers with the end of their club.Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto.Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the presentinvention are also equally applicable to other like applications,devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in thefield of golf equipment. Specifically, the magnetic golf tee is able tobe picked up with the magnetic grip attachment at the end of the user'sclub. The aforementioned components of magnetic golf equipment aregenerally desired in the art because they make golf a more accessibleand convenient sport. One particular area of concern is that prior hipor back injuries may make it difficult for the user to bend down andretrieve their tees and/or metal ball markers. Further, the magneticgolf tee and grip attachment prevents unnecessary strain on the bodycaused by repeatedly bending over to pick up tees and ball markers. Tobe described in more detail hereinafter, the invention enables for amore enjoyable golfing experience for all users.

Additionally, if users have prior injuries or physical ailments thatmake it difficult to pick up tees and ball markers, it may take extratime to perform these activities. The time spent struggling to pick upequipment may delay the next group of golfers from teeing off. Manypopular golf courses regularly book all of their tee times, which areusually very close together (i.e., tightly sequenced tee times). Themagnetic golf tee, ball marker, and grip enables users to quicklyretrieve their equipment, preventing frustration and delay of the game.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic golf tee, golfball marker, and corresponding magnetic club grip attachment. Themagnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee and ballmarker enabling the user to pick up their tee and ball marker withouthaving to physically bend over, thereby conserving time and preventingfurther strain and effort on the golf course. Furthermore, the device isadaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers in orderto pick up magnetic tees and to putters in order to pick up metal ballmarkers.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a golf equipmentretrieval device that enables users to pick up their tees quickly andwithout unnecessary strain. There is also a long felt need in the artfor a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick uptheir metal ball markers with ease. Finally, there is a long felt needin the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that is adaptable todifferent clubs depending on the needs of the user.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a magnetic golf tee and corresponding magnetic golfclub grip attachment. The device is a tool that enables users to pick uptheir golf ball tees and metal ball markers without having to physicallybend over. The device comprises a modified golf tee that has a smallmagnet embedded therein, as well as a magnetic attachment that issecured to a terminal handle or grip end of a golf club. In oneexemplary embodiment, the magnet on the golf club can be about the sizeof a nickel protruding outside of the golf club handle or grip. The golfclub handle magnet further including a neck having a bulbous terminalend for inserting into a flexible opening (i.e., hole) of the clubhandle or club grip. The bulbous terminal end providing a retentionmeans for securing the club handle magnet to the club grip opening.

In this manner, the magnetic golf tee and grip of the present inventionaccomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with adevice that quickly and easily retrieves tees and metal ball markerswithout having to physically bend over. The device is particularlyuseful to players who are older in age, have previous back/hip injuries,and/or other physical limitations. The device generally improves thegolfing experience for all players, while conserving time and effortspent on the course.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a magnetic golf tee, golf ball marker, andcorresponding magnetic golf club grip attachment. The device is a toolthat enables users to pick up golf tees and metal ball markers withoutunnecessary physical strain. The device comprises a modified golf teewith a small magnet inside. The device also comprises a magnetic golfclub grip attachment that has roughly a nickel sized magnet protrudingtherefrom to engage with the magnetic golf tee and/or metal golf ballmarkers.

The grip attachment is adaptable to any golf club depending on the needsof the user. For example, it can be used on a driver to pick up themagnetic golf tee, or it can be used on a putter to pick up metal golfball markers on the green. The adaptable mounting is accomplished by theshape of the grip attachment. The attachment includes a neck terminatingat a ball/rivet (i.e., bulbous end) so that it can be pushed into theelastomeric hole at the end of the golf grip, thereby leaving the, forexample, nickel sized magnet substantially flush and outside of the golfgrip.

In one embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises a smallrectangular magnet embedded inside of the tee, generally halfway (i.e.midpoint) down the neck of the tee. The exact size, measurement,construction, and design specifications regarding the tee may vary uponfurther development and manufacturing.

In one potential embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises asmall cylindrical magnet inside of the tee.

In another potential embodiment, a grip attachment is adaptable andmountable to any golf club grip prior to mounting the grip to the golfclub shaft. For example, the magnetic grip attachment can be in form ofa planar circle (i.e., coin shape) having a small hole to enable air topass therethrough. The magnetic grip attachment can be secured to theinside of the end of the golf grip. The grip can then be secured to theend of a golf club shaft (i.e., driver shaft and putter shaft).

In another potential embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises amagnet mounted inside the top portion or “head” of the tee, where theball is placed.

In one embodiment, the magnetic tee component can be manufactured fromwood, heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as, polypropylene oracrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any material known in the artdeemed suitable for the purpose of a golf tee.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf tee comprises a pluralityof indicia.

In one embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment comprises agenerally nickel sized magnet that is connected to a neck thatterminates at a ball/rivet (i.e., bulbous end). The ball/rivet orbulbous end is inserted into the elastomeric and flexible hole in theend of a golf club grip so that the circular magnet is substantiallyflush with the end of the grip. The magnet is curved on the end toenable for easy engagement with the magnetic golf tee. It is to beappreciated that a flat magnet can be inhibited (i.e., circumscribed) bythe surrounding club grip terminal end. Exact size, measurement,construction, and design specifications may vary upon furtherdevelopment and manufacturing.

In one potential embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment isexternal and encompasses, i.e., mounts over and around the end of thegolf grip.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachmentincludes a housing or body manufactured from heat-sealable plastic orpolymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS), aluminum, stainless steel, or any other material deemed suitablefor the purpose described.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachmentcomprises a plurality of indicia printed thereon.

Numerous benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading andunderstanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters

refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magneticgolf tee and golf grip or handle, with the golf tee engaged to the golfgrip attachment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magneticgolf club grip attachment of the present invention being used to pick upthe magnetic golf tee off the ground;

FIG. 3 illustrates elevational views of the golf grip attachment andgolf ball tee including the magnetic attraction between the magneticgolf tee and corresponding grip attachment of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magneticgolf tee and golf grip of the present invention in accordance with thedisclosed architecture, illustrating the insertion of the gripattachment, use of the tee, and subsequent retrieval of the golf balltee as described; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magneticgolf club grip attachment of the present invention inserted into the endof the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It can be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments can be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a golfequipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their golf balltees quickly and without unnecessary strain. There is also a long feltneed in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables usersto pick up their metal golf ball markers with ease. Finally, there is along felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that isadaptable to different golf clubs and removably mounted to the golfclubs depending on the needs of the user.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel magneticgolf ball tee and golf club grip attachment. The golf tee is modifiedwith a magnet embedded inside the golf ball tee, in one exemplaryarrangement, and the magnetic club grip attachment is secured to thehandle end of a golf club. The magnetic club grip engages the magnetinside the golf tee enabling the user to pick up their golf ball teewithout having to physically bend over, thereby conserving time andpreventing unnecessary strain and effort on the golf course. The magneton the club grip can be about the size of a nickel, with a neck or shaftterminating at a bulbous end, for example a ball/rivet, such that thebulbous end can be pushed through the grip hole at the end of the golfgrip. Further, the device is adaptable to any golf club including butnot limited to drivers to pick up magnetic tees after teeing off and togolf putters to pick up metal ball markers after replacing a marked golfball onto a golf green.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, themagnetic golf tee 110 and golf club grip attachment 100 is an improvedgolf equipment retrieval device that provides users with the ability topick up magnetic golf tees and metal ball markers in a novel fashion.The device 100 is particularly designed to enable any suitable user asis known in the art, to pick up magnetic golf tees and metal ballmarkers without having to physically strain oneself or to physicallybend over in order to pick up tees and markers. More specifically, thedevice 100 comprises a magnetic golf tee 110 having a tee insert ormagnet 112, and a magnetic golf club grip attachment 120. FIG. 1illustrates the magnetic golf tee 110 engaged (i.e., magneticallyattracted) with the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120.

In one exemplary embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 includes a teeinsert or magnet 112 embedded therein. The tee insert or magnet 112 canbe located or embedded generally halfway (i.e. midpoint) down the neckor shaft 114 of the magnetic golf tee 110. The exact size, measurement,construction, and design specifications regarding the magnetic golf tee110 and tee insert or magnet 112 may vary dependent upon the dimensionsof the golf tee. The tee insert or magnet 112 can be rectangular,cylindrical, or of any other suitable shape. The tee insert or magnet112 can include magnetizable metal or can include a metal that isattracted to a magnet. The most common magnetizable metals used forpermanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rareearth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from“hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials.“Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

In one embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 can include a housing orbody 116 manufactured from wood, heat-sealable plastic or polymers, suchas polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or anymaterial known in the art deemed suitable for the purpose of a golf balltee.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the magnetic golf tee andgolf club grip attachment 100 in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is the method of picking up themagnetic golf tee 110 using the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120.The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 engages with the magneticgolf tee 110, enabling the user to pick up the magnetic golf tee 110using the golf club and grip attachment 100 while obviating the need tophysically bend over to retrieve the golf tee. The user simply grabs theclub face end of the golf club and brings the magnetic golf club gripattachment 120 near the magnetic tee insert or magnet 112 to retrievethe magnetic golf tee 110 with ease and convenience.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the engagement mechanismbetween the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 and the magnetic golftee 110. The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 is comprised of agrip magnet 122, which is attached to a neck or shaft 124 thatterminates at a bulbous end or ball 126. The grip magnet 122 isgenerally the size of a nickel and engages the magnetic golf tee 110.The golf grip attachment 120 includes the neck or shaft 124 connected tothe bulbous end or ball 126 of the grip magnet 122. The bulbous end 126is inserted into and through a flexible opening 136 at an end of a clubgrip 138 of a golf club 140 and engages with the inside of the club gripend 138 to secure the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 in place.It is to be appreciated that the flexible opening 136 includes a firststatic diameter and the bulbous end 126 includes a second diameter,wherein the second diameter is greater than the first static diameter.The flexible opening 136 can expand to enable the bulbous end 126 topass therethrough. When fully inserted, the grip magnet 122 issubstantially flush with the end of the golf club grip. The grip magnet122 is curved on an exterior end 132 (i.e., curvilinear outer surface)to enable for easy engagement with the magnetic golf tee 110 and to notbe inhibited by the surrounding or circumscribed club grip. The exactsize, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding themagnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can vary based on the size of thegolf grip end.

In one embodiment, the neck or shaft 124 and bulbous end 126 of themagnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can be manufactured fromheat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or-butadiene-styrene (ABS), aluminum, stainless steel, or any othermaterial deemed suitable for the purpose described. The grip magnet 122includes magnetizable metal. The most common magnetizable metals usedfor permanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rareearth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from“hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials.“Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective views of one embodiment of the magneticgolf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture, disclosing the insertion ofthe magnetic golf club grip attachment 120, use of the magnetic golf tee110, and subsequent retrieval of the magnetic golf tee 110 using themagnetic golf club grip attachment 120 as described. The magnetic golftee 110 functions as a traditional golf tee in terms of supporting agolf ball 150 thereon while the golfer swings. It is to be appreciatedthat the grip attachment 120 is adaptable to any golf club including butnot limited to drivers 140 in order to pick up magnetic tees and toputters in order to pick up metal ball markers. A golfer tees a golfball 150 on the golf tee 110 and then strikes the golf ball 150 (i.e.,tee shot). The golf tee 110 is left behind and remains on the groundafter the tee shot. The golfer then turns the club 140 around and placesthe golf magnet 122 near the tee insert or magnet 112. The tee insert ormagnet 112 is then attracted to the golf magnet 122 and the golf tee 110attaches to the golf magnet 122 and is retained thereto. The golfer canthen turn the club 140 around to remove the golf tee 100 from the golfmagnet 122.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magneticgolf club grip attachment 120 of the present invention inserted into theend of the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture.The grip magnet 122 is left exposed on the end of the club in order toengage with the magnetic golf tee 110, enabling users to pick up themagnetic golf tee 110 or metal ball markers without having to physicallybend over to retrieve the golf tee 110.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachmentcomprising: a magnetic golf tee having a tee head and a tee shaftincluding a tee insert; a magnetic golf club grip attachment having aneck portion, a bulbus end, and a magnetic exterior end; wherein saidneck portion and said bulbous end mounted inside a golf grip end;wherein said tee insert is a metal; and further wherein said magneticexterior end is a material selected from an iron, a nickel, and acobalt.
 2. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim1, wherein said tee insert embedded in said tee shaft.
 3. The magneticgolf tee and golf club gtip attachment of claim 1, wherein said teeinsert embedded in said tee head.
 4. The magnetic golf tee and golf clubgrip attachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert mounted proximal toa tip of said tee shaft.
 5. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert is a material selectedfrom an iron, a nickel, and a cobalt.
 6. The magnetic golf tee and golfclub gtip attachment of claim 2, wherein said tee insert is embeddedgenerally in a midpoint of said tee shaft.
 7. The magnetic golf tee andgolf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said magnetic golf teeincludes a housing having a material selected from a wood and aheat-sealable polymer.
 8. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment of claim 7, wherein said heat-sealable polymer is apolypropylene or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).
 9. Themagnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 7, wherein saidmagnetic exterior end having a curvilinear surface extending from saidgolf grip end.
 10. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachmentof claim 1, wherein said golf grip end includes a flexible openinghaving a first static diameter and said bulbous end having a seconddiameter, and further wherein said second diameter is greater than saidfirst static diameter.
 11. A magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment comprising: a magnetic golf tee having a tee head and a teeshaft including a tee insert; a magnetic golf club grip attachmenthaving a neck portion, a bulbus end, and a magnetic exterior end;wherein said neck portion and said bulbous end mounted inside a golfgrip end; wherein said tee insert is a metal; wherein said golf grip endincluding a flexible opening having a first static diameter and saidbulbous end having a second diameter; and further wherein said seconddiameter is greater than said first static diameter.
 12. The magneticgolf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said teeinsert embedded in said tee shaft.
 13. The magnetic golf tee and golfclub grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said tee insert embedded insaid tee head.
 14. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachmentof claim 11, wherein said tee insert is a material selected from aniron, a nickel, and a cobalt.
 15. The magnetic golf tee and golf clubgrip attachment of claim 11, wherein said magnetic golf tee includes ahousing having a material selected from a wood and a heat-sealablepolymer.
 16. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment ofclaim 11, wherein said magnetic exterior end having a curvilinearsurface extending from said golf grip end.
 17. A magnetic golf tee andgolf club grip attachment comprising: a magnetic golf tee having a teehead, a tee shaft, and a metal tee insert; a magnetic golf club gripattachment having a magnetic exterior end; wherein said magnetic golfgrip attachment is mounted inside a golf grip end; and further whereinsaid magnetic exterior end is a material selected from an iron, anickel, and a cobalt.
 18. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment of claim 17, wherein said magnetic exterior end having acurvilinear surface extending from said golf grip end.
 19. The magneticgolf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 17, wherein saidmaterial is nickel.
 20. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gripattachment of claim 17, wherein said material is cobalt.